Michigan Town Overestimates Sewage Spill

Jan. 30, 2020

A sewage spill in Muskegon, Michigan dumped approximately 20,000 gallons of untreated wastewater. 

A sewage spill next to Baker College near Muskegon dumped approximately 20,000 gallons of untreated wastewater into a nearby storm sewer and creek.

According to Booth Newspapers, the leak in a sewer force main was discovered around 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 28. 
The sewage entered a storm drain that dumps into Four Mile Creek, which runs through the campus of Muskegon Community College. 

It was previously believed that about 132,000 gallons of untreated sewage spilled from a pipe beneath Quarterline Roads, reported WZZM. Once the pipe was removed, crews discovered several golf-ball sized holes in the line were causing the much smaller spill. 

The creek was being tested for the presence of E. coli and a no-contact advisory was expected to be issued.

Wastewater was seeping out of a crack in the roadway and Dave Johnson, director of the Muskegon County Wastewater Management System, was notified around 10 a.m. The wastewater flowed from the crack and into the nearby storm drain but did not pool onto any property. 

Workers had to add an additional pump to transfer sewage from a lift station wet well into a tanker, reported Booth Newspapers

"We take the spill seriously either way," said Johnson in an email update. "But, we want to present the best information possible. We were able to improve the estimated size of the spill as we got more information."

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Cristina Tuser